Tour of Britain seeks volunteers

Here’s the Tour of Britain press release:

YOUR CHANCE TO BE PART OF AN ELITE SPORTING EVENT AT THE 2005 TOUR OF BRITAIN

From avid cyclists to armchair enthusiasts, the Tour of Britain is a celebration of cycling that inspires emulation. The Tour supports cycling at all levels and hopes to inspire a younger generation of fans, keen to jump onto their bikes and hopefully join the elite club that comprises Britain’s top cyclists.

The Tour of Britain in conjunction with British Cycling is giving cycling enthusiasts the chance to be involved in the 2005 Tour of Britain this year by being part of the event as a Marshall or steward.

We would like to hear from clubs who can raise a group of 10 volunteers, to help marshal/steward crossing points at sprints, king of mountain’s sprints, starts and finishes and for the criterium stages in Glasgow, Birmingham and London.

The Tour of Britain will need about 60 people for each stage. Each sprint or king of the mountains’ prime will need 10 volunteers. Each start and finish will need 20 volunteers.

How long will you have to be there?: Volunteers will be expected to arrive one hour before the Tours ETA and then will be able to leave once the broom wagon has passed whilst Volunteers at the starts and finishes will be expected to be there from one hour before the ETA and then leave an hour after the race has finished.

What’s in it for you?

— You will have the chance to be officially involved in the Tour of Britain

— An official Tour of Britain volunteer t-shirt

— A Tour of Britain high-visibility tabard

— Some refreshments

— A goodie bag including a Tour of Britain programme

— 10 British Cycling bronze memberships paid for by the Tour of Britain

Unfortunately, the Tour of Britain will not be able to pay travelling expenses so please chose somewhere in your local area.

Is there an age limit? Yes volunteers need to be aged 18 years or above. Unless they are members of a Go-Ride club in which case they need to be 14 or above and accompanied by an adult. There will be one super prize awarded to the best-marshalled point throughout the Tour of Britain.

The Route – The Tour proper starts on the 30th August, but there is a preamble Elite Criterium race and mass participation ride on the 28th August

STAGES IN THE EVENT

The Tour proper starts on the 30th August, 2005 but there is a preamble Elite Criterium race and mass participation ride on the 29th August, 2005

Preamble (Monday 29 August 2005)

Glasgow criterium, BC Elite Circuit series 7pm – 8pm

Stage 1 (Tuesday 30 August 2005)

Start Glasgow 10.30am

Finish Castle Douglas 3.15pm

Stage 2 (Wednesday 31 August 2005)

Start Carlisle 10.45am

Finish Blackpool prom 2.50pm

Stage 3 (Thursday 1 September 2005)

Start Leeds (Millennium sq) 10.00am

Finish Sheffield 2.30pm

Stage 4 (Friday 2 September 2005)

Start Buxton 10.30am

Finish Nottingham (Trent Bridge Meadows)

Stage 5 (Saturday 3 September 2005)

Circuit race in Birmingham (the details still need to be confirmed)

Stage 6 (Sunday 4 September 2005)

Circuit race in Westminster London, there will be a whole day’s activity.

For a full breakdown of the route, from which to identify your most convenient volunteering point, and for further info on this volunteering opportunity, please contact: Rob Jefferies at Volunteers@britishcycling.org.uk